Frazzle

He'd slag off his own family to keep the fans of his back.

https://twitter.com/AshleyOutdotcom/status/731458588930117633

Why haven't we made it already? His demands will only be linked to the success of the club and not personal gain. Absolutely no reason for the club not to agree, especially given that their methods don't work.

If the club really want him surely it doesn't take two weeks? It's not like he'll want 100m transfer funds. Can't see any argument from the club's point of view that power shouldn't be transferred to Benitez. Not one person within the club is doing their job well so should have no claim to retaining their role/power.

'Kill me'

http://ashleyout.com/articles/sports-neglect/ Just seen this has been posted up

Agreed

There doesn't seem to be any in the article posted, which is what I was commenting on.

Or club denying interest in player until everything is done and dusted.

It doesn't really seem comparable to the Pardew situation IMO. I don't see him criticising his own fans or constantly lowering expectations. He said he'd deliver Champions League, most people would call that ambition, not really a lie. Criticising a foreign manager for using the same word often as well? Seems like clutching at straws when looking for things to criticise.

Exactly. Regardless of all the other crap he brings, he simply can't run a football club successfully.

He'll be gone and Ashley can get someone else in to deflect blame from himself.

It's still a challenge trying to win league titles with top clubs to be fair. Only time will tell how good a manager Guardiola is but so far he's doing pretty well. It's not like he's some chancer who's turning up at clubs and just watching top players win games for him. Winning at top clubs is still difficult hence why Mourinho messed up at Chelsea this season, Pellegrini at Man City this season, Klopp at Dortmund last season, Ancelotti couldn't even win the title when he first took over PSG. Bayern and Barca are obviously huge clubs in their respective countries but they don't win the league every year, that's just a fact. Bayern have never won the league four times in a row (I don't think) and are going to now (Heynckes x 1, Pep x 3), the last time they won three in a row was 98-01. When Guardiola agreed to join Bayern they hadn't won the treble, they were probably top but the season before they finished 8 points off the pace. Barca finished 18 points off the title the year before Guardiola came. Yes, he had some amazing players but Guardiola brought Pique, Busquets and Pedro in. Guardiola changed Messi's position, got rid of Ronaldinho and Eto'o. He wasn't just standing around while everyone did the work for him.

It's not a random rumour to sell papers IMO, there's definitely substance to it. What? And turn down Barca Exactly why it won't happen, but he's currently: 1. Playing every week. 2. For a good team. 3. Seemingly getting on with his teammates and manager. 4. Receiving international recognition for his performances. 5. Being hero worshipped by his club's supporters. 6. Enjoying his football. All of that is at risk if he moves. He's still not guaranteed a place in the France squad at the moment and Puel is rumoured to be leaving Nice. Plus he wants to play Champions League, which Nice won't get.

Good.

That's all well and good until you actually need a defender. I know we can reshuffle and don't have many options (if any) but still a dangerous game to play.

Surely there's better captain material than Sissoko in that team.

No defenders on the bench.

Why the hell would Guardiola give up the chance to win the CL with Bayern to make sure Man City are in the competition next season?

Don't think Coutinho should be there either but I hate him as well. Also think it's weird there are no Spurs defenders there, guess that's the nature of awards in football though.

Hauled off

Hattrick

Nice currently two points off an automatic Champions League group place.

Same way people saying we're down when it's not certain mathematically. Not that hard to grasp.

Only Europa League, if you're talking mathematically.